BookPastor >> "Faith That Does Not Falter" (Elisabeth Elliot)

TITLE: Faith That Does Not Falter
AUTHOR: Elisabeth Elliot (selections)
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Revell Publishers, 2003, (90 pages).

The late Elisabeth Elliot was a tall figure in the missionary world. She passed away on June 15th, 2015. She maintained her last name of her first marriage to the martyr Jim Elliot, who was speared to death in Ecuador by the very natives he was trying to reach. Upon her return to North America, Elisabeth honed her writing and speaking skills to become one of leading advocates for world missions and renewed faith in God's providence. She showed us what it means to trust God, why we need to grow and how we can make a difference in this world. This gift booklet contains selections of her writings, culled from seven books:

1. All that was ever ours
2. Discipline: The Glad Surrender
3. God's Guidance
4. On Asking God Why
5. Passion and Purity
6. Quest for Love
7. The Mark of a Man

She begins with a passionate plea to believers, especially when terrible things happened. Do we trust God or do we defy Him? There is no middle. Based on this premise, the selections are arranged according to three themes. The first theme is about "Following God." There is no point in saying that we are followers of God when our actions demonstrate otherwise. When we say that God is sovereign, how do our choices reflect that? We are given the promise that we can become the children of God if we obey. She writes:

"The Bible does not explain everything necessary for our intellectual satisfaction, but it explains everything necessary for our obedience and hence for God's satisfaction." (14)

Following God means meeting God face on by reading His Word. Do we read with a desire to obey or are we content with picking and choosing which to obey? For God is looking for worshipers who are willing to trust God instead of thrusting God with our whims, our wishes, and our wants, with no regard for the things that matter to God. It means recognizing who God is through our lifetime, not just a moment in time. God will guide and we must trust God to show up according to His time, not ours. The more consistent we are in walking with God regardless of his speaking or his silence, we can better sense the divine whispers and holy groans the Spirit utters. As we follow God, we become familiar with how God works. We learn that when God calls us, he calls us within the framework of him knowing our exact frame.

"Jesus does not by any means disregard the sort of person we are when He calls us to do His will. He knows our frame and remembers that we are dust. He knows the weaknesses and strengths, the tastes and fears and prejudices and ignorance and experience of each of us. What he wants to make of us, if we are willing to be made over, is sure to bear a relationship to what we are when we first come to Him. It is within His power to transform. It is for us to submit to the transformation." (20-21)

About God's calling, instead of asking "How do we know that we are called?" learn to ask: "How do I know I am NOT called?" This paradigm shift is a needed nudge for those of us who prefer to sit on our laurels and wait indefinitely to delay doing the good that we ought to do, when we are fully able to. Taking a risk is essentially a step of faith. As we follow after God, we learn to recognize God's voice, like Mary who responded to the angel's voice. We learn to be responsive and not be too busy with our own things till we forget God's gentle movement in our hearts. God are sensitive to God's timing. Many of us need to remember that God's timing is God's to decide, not ours. Very perceptively, Elliot asserts that "We will know when we need to know, not before." Those of us with difficult struggles will start to question God. There is a proper way to do that. God does not forbid us from asking questions. There is a difference between asking questions of God and questioning God. The former is a desire to know the reasons behind certain circumstances while the latter comes from an accusatory spirit. Beware. The devil has another nickname: Accuser. Even in moments of loneliness, we can still follow after God. We can do the following:

• Remember that God is with us. We are not alone
• Learning to give thanks curb our focus on self
• Refuse to give in to self-pity
• Accept our loneliness at stages of our lives
• Offer our lonely moments to God
• Do something for others

The second theme is on Life's Mysteries. Faith is a mystery. It is a gift. It is less about reasoning but about responding. 

"If we believe that God is God, our faith is not a deduction from the facts around us. It is not an instinct. It is not inferred from the happy way things work. Faith is a gift from God, and we must respond to Him with a decision: The God of the universe has spoken, we believe what He says, and we will obey. We must make a decision that we will hold in the face of all opposition and apparent contradiction." (38)

Change is also a mystery. Many people are creatures of habit but screamers against change. We like monotony and routine even when it is boring. We life to do the same things over again because it is safe and comfortable. The fact is, change is something that can refresh and rejuvenate us. With change, we are offered a chance to dig deep into our inner beings to depart from the familiar ways of the world and to arrive at the unfamiliar workings of the Spirit. Evil is also a mystery. Why must there be darkness? Why didn't God make everything sinless and perfect? In fact, God is showing us something greater. When one chooses goodness and holiness in spite of sin and darkness, one would have become totally free indeed. The Incarnation is a mystery. Why would God come down from heaven and to suffer with us? The truth is, He invites us to share in the fellowship of His suffering, that we may testify that God is with us in both good times and bad times.

"We cannot know Christ and the power of His Resurrection without the fellowship of His suffering." (47)

When we take up our cross, we begin to appreciate what Christ Himself had personally experienced. No longer will we be content to say to God, "Do you understand me?" but to confess before God, "Lord, you have already understood. It's I who still do not even understand myself!" Elliot equates discipline with obedience. She writes that "Discipline is the wholehearted yes to the Call of God."

When our hearts are broken, we can be shaped into the likeness of Christ (Rom 8:29); learn to trust Christ (2 Cor 1:8-9); learn to obey Christ (Ps 119:67,71); bear fruit for Christ (John 15:2); be mature in Christ (James 1:4). As we wait upon the LORD, we realize that God is there in the waiting.

"Waiting is a form of suffering - the difficulty of self-restraint, the anguish of unfulfilled longing, the bewilderment of unanswered prayer, flesh and heart failing, soul breaking. These are indeed tribulations, and tribulation is the curriculum if we are to learn patience. We want answers now, right now, but we are required at times to walk in darkness. Nevertheless, God is in the darkness." (59)

The third theme is "Making Right Choices." It requires us to overcome our deepest fears. The paths of dark valleys and dangerous places must be seen in context of the journey toward the kingdom. Our final destination is the House of the Lord. Elliot writes:

"Never for a second does God lose sight of his objective. It is we who forget what it is. We are distracted by immediate circumstances, and it is no wonder we want to give up the whole thing. It was the 'joy that was set before Him' that enabled Jesus to endure the cross. Without a clear understanding of the ultimate objective, the intermediate objectives make no sense to us. 'Why this, Lord?' we keep asking. But if we bear in mind that we shall, beyond any doubt whatsoever, finally dwell in the house of the Lord, settle down to stay in His presence, then the intermediate pastures and waters, even the valley of the shadow or the place of dragons, are understood. They are stations and landings along the journey, and they will not last long." (65)

Overcoming worry helps us make right choices. In fact, the opposite of trust is worry. She gives us six reasons why we should not worry:

1. Worry is completely useless.
2. Worry is disobedience
3. Worry is trapping ourselves in tomorrow's affairs
4. Worry refuses the gift of today
5. Worry is the antithesis of trust
6. Worry wastes time and energy

Then there is doubt which can be debilitating to faith matters. Learn to concentrate on God. Reflect on Isaiah 43. When we are in doubt, open up the Word of God and meditate. "The best kind of beginning, when we are wanting to know the will of God, is to concentrate first on God himself." (69)

Risk taking is a step toward making right choices. There is no such thing as a guaranteed result especially in spiritual matters. When we deny ourselves, we are essentially denying ourselves from grasping at the straws of man's strengths and human confidence. If Christ is the Truth, grab hold of Him. Witnessing is a risk. Can we witness in spite of troubles? Yes. For witnessing is obedience in action. Making right choices sometimes mean we take the road less traveled, the harder path. The only comfort in such choices is this: God will be with us. Perhaps, in the making of the hard choices f life, we learn to depend only on God. Nothing else.

This one little book is full of precious thoughts. It makes a gift that can usher in many more gifts.

conrade

Midweek Meditation: "Attachment"

"Our desires have become attached to things that are little more than shadows, when they are meant to be attached to something which cannot decay or disappoint." (Alister McGrath, The Unknown God, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999, p32)

19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)

conrade

BookPastor >> "A Well-Worn Path" (Dan Wilt)

TITLE: A Well-Worn Path: Thirty-One Daily Reflections for the Worshipping Heart
AUTHOR: Dan Wilt
PUBLISHER: Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook Publishers, 2013, (70 pages).

This is a 31-days of reflections that are simple, brief, and very profound. Ideal for meditation, it helps us to rest, to pause from the busyness of life, and to orientate our hearts and minds toward worshiping God. Written by an author and worship leader, he has many wise words and insights for not only worship leaders but also for anyone desiring to grow deeper in worship. This book contains 31 daily snippets of life, faith, and spirituality. Each day begins on a clear page with only a Bible verse printed. In many devotionals, many publishers have squeezed in as much as possible to ensure that whatever white space on the page would be filled. Not this devotional. It is plainly and simply one short Bible passage for readers to take, read, meditate, and allow the Word to draw them in. The next page gives a brief title and description followed by a prayer.

What makes this devotional really pleasant is the simplicity of it all. It helps one to focus on the Word. It helps one to pause and not rush to complete the devotion. Instead, it is written in an inviting manner that readers are free to read as slow as they want to, or as speedy as they like. Chances are, anyone doing the latter would be going through the passage a second time. Given the way that the devotional can draw one in, it is very likely that this book about a "well-worn path" can easily become a well-worn out book.

Great stuff.

conrade

BookPastor >> "Invitations of Jesus" (Trevor Hudson)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on January 20th, 2014.

conrade

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TITLE: Invitations of Jesus
AUTHOR: Trevor Hudson
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 2014, (96 pages).

This little devotional is written by a Methodist minister based in South Africa. He begins with a reflection on a wedding invitation that he had overlooked. It was something very special for the couple, but he had embarrassingly forgotten all about it in the midst of his work and busyness. Once over, "our loss is forever" so says Trevor Hudson. As he looks at the relationship between Christ and us, so many of our relationship with God is on the basis of our own needs instead of on the basis of faith and love. For Hudson, it is important not to be straitjacketed in a BSH relationship that believes in Jesus, Saved from sins, and straight to heaven after death. Christianity is not about a project to escape hell and enter heaven. It is a response to the invitation of Jesus to open and receive Jesus' gift; to explore and to know God; and to respond to God affirmatively. The key is to learn to be fully alive to God, and in turn be fully alive to one another, and to the world that God so loved and gave his only Son.

The six weeks of "invitations" is a journey from spiritual wakefulness to hopefulness in God. Week One sets the tone of the trip. It encourages readers to open the invitation and to respond with eager hearts. Week Two looks at "transforming intimacy" where Hudson reminds us about the importance of passion for God. Love is not a burden. It is a passion. When we look at our faith from the lens of passion, obeying the commandments of God will be most natural and beautiful. He connects this intimacy of God and relates it also to intimacy with people. True spiritual intimacy is never isolated from intimacy with people. Week Three talks about "transforming discipleship," Hudson poses a challenge to us:

"What is your life's greatest opportunity?"

He urges readers to consider growing in God as that opportunity.  We learn to be accepted by God. We learn to accept ourselves. We learn to connect our individual small stories with the Big Story of God.

Week Four moves to "transforming solitude" which is an invitation to dwell in the gospels, to walk with Jesus in solitude. Underneath Jesus' busy agenda, he frequently takes time to be alone, to pray, and to spend time with God. We learn about rest, refreshment, and renewal. The intriguing thing about solitude is that true solitude is never lonely. It is an awareness that God is right there with us.

Week Five reminds us that the Christian life is never inward looking. It has a "transforming mission" focus. As our relationship with God deepens, we feel a greater urge to share of this intimacy with others. Those who have personally tasted the sweetness of the fruit of spiriual life, will be most happy to share the experience. Without any such experience in the first place, how then can one share about anything? Transforming mission is also about sharing, especially in the suffering of people in the community.

Week Six is an invitation to a "transforming mystery." Sometimes, we in the modern scientific and technological world can arrogantly think we can solve all things. Even our saying of certain things that are impossible comes across more as lip service. The key is not in terms of our knowing or unknowing. It is in God revealing Truth to us, according to his own time and purpose. Just like we do not know when we will die, our losses can be a mystery in itself.

So What?

Do not be deceived by the brevity or the simplicity of this devotional. There are many stories and illustrations to drive home the message of Jesus inviting us to walk with him more closely and more intimately. Far too many Christian books and resources have tried to give us tools to get things done or to make things happen. As a result, many people become more activists instead of reflective respondents. We become more fixated on the visible stuff of life and ignore the invisible things. We fall into the habit of trying to do things in our own strength instead of depending on God's strength. This book of invitation is open-ended enough for us to be creative in our practice of it. It is closed-ended enough to limit our scope to six weeks of transformative exercises. Do these with much prayer. Be patient. Be open. Be intentional. Most importantly, learn to remember that Jesus has already given us an invite. We need to RSVP our response.

Rating:4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Upper Room Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Midweek Meditation: Seven Sacred Steps to a Deeper Devotional Life

This list of "Seven Sacred Steps" is meant as a guide to shake up our dependence on worldly things, so that we can stir our hearts toward God. That is what a devotional is supposed to do.

[Dan Wilt, Author, Song Writer, Worship Leader)

conrade

BookPastor >> "Grace Notes" (Philip Yancey)

TITLE: Grace Notes: Daily Readings with a Fellow Pilgrim
AUTHOR: Philip Yancey
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009, (434 pages).

I observe a pattern. When an author has written a number of bestselling books, or if the author himself has gained a fair amount of popularity, publishers will want to continue to milk the author's fame by putting out re-prints of classic portions of the previous works. "Grace Notes" is one of them. It is a collection of writings by the very popular Christian writer, Philip Yancey. Called "Daily Readings with a Fellow Pilgrim," this book is essentially a daily devotional to last an entire year.True enough, the publisher initiates this project to encourage the author to leaf through more than 20 books and articles, written over a span of 30 years, in order to put together 366 pages of readings. Seasonal themes help move the reader along the four seasons of the year. Significant events like 9/11, elections, and memorable dates are considered when the daily reading is considered.

Philip Yancey's writings have long been known to be clear and provocative. These notes, though short are often windows into some of Yancey's scintillating analysis and brilliant insights. Each daily reading begins with an interesting flashback or an observation of ordinary life events. It asks questions. It analyzes ordinary struggles of faith. It raises issues of faith and spirituality. It typically concludes with some form of pointing toward the grace of God in Christ Jesus.  There are at least four ways to use this book. The first way is to read it based on sources, like all the collections from any one particular book. This method allows readers to follow the sub-themes accompanying that book. The second way is by looking at the titles of each day's readings. For example, February 16th's reading of "The Hardship Ladder" offers five short quips on the different approaches to suffering. May 22nd's reading of "Why I Don't Attend a Megachurch" may appeal to people asking questions of small, large, and megachurches.  The third way is essentially to read the book based on the day we read. Of course, there is a fourth way. Straight through.

Whichever way, or ways you choose, some of the articles in this book are bound to trigger a reaction in readers. For those of us who loves Yancey's writings, this book is definitely a collector's item.

conrade

Midweek Meditation >> "Costly Grace"

One of Bonhoeffer's most famous legacies is his book, "The Cost of Discipleship." The way he begins this book blows readers away. Chapter 1 alone is worth the price of the book.

"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him." 

(Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, New York, NY: Macmillan, 1959, p36)

conrade

Free Resources for Bible Reading (2013)

All over the world, people are wishing one another Happy New Year. It is the same year after year. Sometimes, I wonder what has happened to the year just ended. Has that been a happy year? Why are there some who seems more relieved than happy? Maybe, we have gotten it all wrong. Happiness is a condition that is utterly dependent on circumstances, feelings, and things temporal and fleeting. If that is the case, are we barking up the wrong tree of life in our relentless pursuit and wishes of 'Happy New Year?'

Psalm 119:105
(Picture Credit: http://thywordforever.web44.net)

For Christians, 'happy' is not the goal. Holiness is. One of the best ways to kick-off a new year is to begin a schedule of Bible reading that is consistent, purposeful, and disciplined. In order to provide some help, I list below some resources that you can get for FREE. Yes, that's free for you to use, in your personal and private capacity.

A) Free 1 Year Through the New Testament Schedule (DOWNLOAD)

I have put together a schedule that we can use to guide us through the New Testament and Isaiah in 1 year. Filled with pockets of 'catch-up' time, it gives us days in which we can either catch up on our missed reading days, or to read ahead if we anticipate periods of busy moments. The important thing is consistency. You can refer to my post about more Bible reading schedules here.

B) Free NIV Bible Downloads (IOS, Android, and others)

At least two sources are available for free Bible downloads. As the New International Version translation of the Bible is still the most popular edition, it has not been easy to find free downloads. From today till January 21st, 2013, Zondervan through their BibleGateway app, and LifeChurch.tv through their Youversion software have made available the NIV to be downloaded for free.

• BibleGateway App (download link)
  
• Youversion Software (download link)

Remember that for the Youversion software, you need to download the Youversion software first. After that, from within the software, select "BIBLE" and a list of Bible versions will pop up. Finally, remember that in case you do not have WiFi connection, you need what we call an OFFLINE version. This is where you need to download the offline version onto your mobile device. Once that is done, you will be able to read the Bible at any time, even when you do not have a WiFi connection. 

C) Online Bibles

If you have constant Internet connection, you may simply want to read the Bible online. Here are some online Bible editions you can use for your daily reading.

Paraphrase Bibles (Modern everyday language)

• The MESSAGE (link)
• New Living Translation (link)

Dynamic Equivalent (Balanced translation between literal and paraphrase)

• New International Version 2011 (link)
  
• Holman Christian Standard Bible (link)
  
• NIV 1984 - most popular NIV by far (link)

Literal Translations (as close to the original languages as possible)

• New American Standard Bible (link)
• English Standard Version (link)
  
• New Revised Standard Version (link)
  
• King James Version (link)
  

Let us make this year a Holy New Year!

conrade 

Bible Reading Plans for 2013

As we come to the end of the year, to say goodbye to 2012, it is good to remind ourselves what is temporal and what is permanent. Life on this earth is temporal. Things of the past year are past and gone. People come and go. It is a good reminder that we have one thing in our hands that will be of eternal value.

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isa 40:8)

With that, I like to offer the following Bible reading plans for your consideration and use. I have searched the Net, enjoyed reading, analyzing, and pondering the plans. Here are some of the best plans I can recommend to you. I am aware that many of us have busy schedules. In fact, reading the Bible for many of us tends to be inconsistent and erratic. The challenge I have for you for the next year is this. Do not let your schedules dictate your Bible reading. Let your Bible reading dictate your schedule.

FIVE TIPS (HEART) FOR A YEAR-LONG BIBLE READING SCHEDULE

1. HANDY: Keep the schedule list and a Bible handy, so that it is always available to you.
2. ENDURANCE: Pray often. Bible reading through the year requires both endurance and constant encouragement. Do not give up. Keep going.
3. ACCOUNTABILITY: Get an accountability partner to read together.
4. READABLE: Choose a readable translation. I strongly recommend a paraphrase like the New Living Translation or the MESSAGE.
5. TIME: Allocate a specific time each day to read.

Here is the list.

1) Read Through the New Testament (+ Isaiah) in 1 year (download)

I will be leading my Church through this version. The main advantage of the version is that it gives average person in the Church an easier introduction to any form of intensive Bible reading schedule. Beginning with the New Testament also offers a gentler introduction. There are also pockets of "catchup" time so that readers can take a breather to catchup or to reflect on what they have read. Hopefully, by the end of the year, readers will be more ready to tackle the heavier segments of the Bible, namely the Old Testament. I have made this version a 1-page format for readers to download, print, and the keep it with them. Reading begins January 6th, 2013. Of course, readers are free to read ahead as of January 1st, 2012. I will be using this version.

2) Chronological 1 Year Bible Reading Plan (download)

This plan is a little more challenging. The main advantage is the chronological flow according to the estimated time the book's events have occurred. The key complication lies in the move in and out of different books. Those of us who are more used to the traditional order of books in the Bible will take some time to get used to it. Those of us who are keen to follow the historical flow will appreciate this plan. Credit to ESV.org

3) Two Year Reading Plan (download)

This plan is aggressive. Thanks to Dr Stephen Witmer of The Gospel Coalition, this plan covers the entire Bible in 2 years. I like this plan. It covers the entire Bible, and helps readers to read both Psalms and Proverbs at least 4 times over 2 years.

4) Bible Reading in 3 years (download)

This plan may take a bit longer but is at a more convenient pace. Recommended for those of us who want to alternate between the Old and New Testaments. Credit to Zondervan.


5) Discipleship Journal's 2 Year Reading Plan (download)

This is a nicely done reading plan that allows anyone to begin the reading at any time. Credit to Discipleship Journal.

Enjoy.

conrade

BookPastor >> "Sanctuary of the Soul" (Richard J. Foster)

TITLE: Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey into Meditative Prayer
AUTHOR: Richard J. Foster
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2011, (170 pages).

This is not just a book about prayer. It is a book that guides us toward a JOURNEY into meditation and prayer. Using the teachings of various spiritual pilgrims through the ages, Foster helps us to read them as guideposts in our spiritual pilgrimage. Foster calls this book as "Entering the Experience." He asks readers not to rush into the whole exercise, but to be patient to listen. Learn to recognize the still small voices outside and inside us. In three parts, Foster shows us the way by first laying the foundations of faith, stepping through meditative prayer, and finally, to deal with the difficulties of everyday distractions and problems surrounding our devotional lives.

Part One lays the foundation of learning to be still, to pause, to wait, and to listen for God who is speaking, who is teaching, and who is acting. The two Hebrew words "haga and siach" can be understood as "to mutter, to moan, to whisper, to reflect, to rehearse, to muse, and even to coo like the dove (Isa 59:11)." It calls us to cultivate a delicate familiarity of Jesus, that we are totally dependent on God to transform our heart. The central reality is this: "God is the ultimate form-er and trans-former of the human heart" (29). Three things accompany our seeking.

1. We are always ASKING for God to change our heart to be more like Him.
2. We are always LISTENING for the still small voice of God.
3. We are always OBEYING the Spirit in all circumstances.

Learn to use imagination in prayer. Learn to read spiritually using practices like the Lectio Divina. Learn to affirm the centrality of Scriptures in our lives.

Part Two shows us the steps forward to meditative prayer. It is not a jump or a leap. It is a step. We begin where we are, and aim toward God with a sense of collectedness. Romano Guardini teaches:

"Prayer must begin with this collectedness. As said before, it is not easy. How little of it we normally posses becomes painfully clear as soon as we make the first attempt. When we try to compose ourselves, unrest redoubles in intensity, not unlike the manner in which at night, when we try to sleep, cares or desires assail us with a force they do not possess during the day. When we want to be truly 'present' we feel how powerful are the voices trying to call us away. As soon as we try to be unified and to obtain mastery over ourselves, we experience the full impact and meaning of distraction. . . Everything depends on this state of collectedness. No effort to obtain it is ever wasted. And even if  the whole duration of our prayer should be applied to this end only, the time thus used would have been well employed. For collectedness itself is prayer. . . Finally, if at first we achieve no more than the understanding of how much we lack in inner unity, something will have been gained, for in some way we would have made contact with that center which knows no distraction." (61-2)

It requires us to give a ready surrender, to repent and to confess of our sins. Then we learn to accept the ways of God. In our pristine humble posture, we learn to behold the presence of God. Our inward attentiveness to our soul helps us to discern God's voice and whisper, to enter into the sanctuary of God.

Part Three of the book is particularly interesting. It deals with three major themes. Firstly, it deals with the distracting or the wandering mind. For this, Foster urges us to go easy on ourselves, to be patient and wait for the dust of distractions to settle down. When that happens, we let our thoughts flow like appreciating poetry. Learn to appreciate the economy of words in poetry. Learn to go over and over again the phrases and words we read. More meaning can be gleaned through multiple readings. Learn to see a metaphor forming as we read. Move from words outside to forming a thought or an impression inside. Secondly, be aware of spiritual warfare. Learn from Jesus on how he manages the forty days being tempted in the wilderness. Totally resist the occultic practices the pagans and the demonic forces espouse. Beware of people who claim to be able to exorcise evil spirits. Do not give Satan too much credit. Pray instead for protection. Thirdly, Foster deals with some common questions about prayer and meditation. He gives practical answers like where and when to pray, and how physical demands on new parents can hinder meditative praying, how to meditate on select verses, and to recognize that every place can be sacred to God. What is most pertinent is to recognize that not every question need to be answered. Not every answer needs to be given. We need wisdom and discernment to know which question to ask, and which answer to discern for us.

My Thoughts

This is a simple but well thought out book, laid out in a way that promotes meditative reading and praying. Foster shows his deep knowledge of spiritual classics and devotional literature. Like a gentle spiritual guide, he offers easy steps to follow, and examples to illuminate the salient points. He shares a personal "Entering the Experience" to show us that the teachings are also applied to his own life. Personally, I like this book for the very inviting way it offers for readers to enter into the experience of meditative prayer. It does not list a time schedule. Instead, readers are free to plan their own. It does not fix our minds on any system. Instead, it frees us to move in or out of the practices of prayer and meditation. Above all, it is a lamp that lights up the path for us. When the path is well lit, the next step is ours to take.  Let me conclude with the words of Toyohiko Kagawa.

"Since I learned how to enter the forest of meditation, I have received sweet dewlike drops from that forest. I have found that the door to meditation is open everywhere and any time, at midnight, or at noonday, at dawn or at dusk. Everywhere, on the street, on the trolley, on the train, in the waiting room, or in a prison cell, I am given a resting place of meditation, wherein I can meditate to my heart's content on the Almighty God who abides in my heart. . . Those who draw water from the wellspring of meditation know that God dwells close to their hearts. For those who wish to discover the quietude of old amid the hustle and bustle of today's machine civilization, there is no way save to rediscover this ancient realm of meditation. Since the loss of my eyesight, I have been as delighted as if I had found a new wellspring by having arrived at this sacred precinct."

conrade

BookPastor >> "A Testament of Devotion" (Thomas R Kelly)

TITLE: A Testament of Devotion
AUTHOR: Thomas R. Kelly
PUBLISHER: London: Quaker Home Service, 1979, (114 pages).

This is a classic devotional in the best tradition of the Quakers. Quiet but confident, Earnest yet humble, small-sized but big in contemplativeness, this is truly one of the greatest spiritual literature from the pen of a twentieth century author. First published in 1941, this book has become so popular that it has gone through multiple reprints by different publishers. Kelly, writing from the Quaker tradition, has very little to say about himself but a lot to say about our response to God. Douglas B Steere fills in a much needed preface that describes to readers the person of Thomas R. Kelly.

Kelly is strongly motivated to learn about how things work. His hunger for life fuels his hunger for God. Through this hunger, he goes on to complete a PhD at Hartford Theological Seminary. He goes on to teach at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. His earlier passion for science similarly drives his passion for philosophical method. As much as he is eager to learn, he is also eager to teach. His lectures are often so rich and original that students are moved by his creativity and authenticity. What is most distinct is the way Kelly's inner life blossoms as he personally discovers God and receives a life changing experience. Devotion becomes his new drive. This book is a collection of his lectures. Five themes are brought together to make this book a testament of devotion.

Chapter 1 - The Light Within

Devotion begins introspectively. It is the awareness of the inside that guides the behaviour on the outside. God touches us from the inside out, illuminating the light within us so that we can truly become the light of the world.

"It is a Light Within which illumines the face of God and casts new shadows and new glories upon the face of men. It is a seed stirring to life if we do not choke it. It is the Shekinah of the soul, the presence in the midst. Here is the Slumbering Christ, stirring to be awakened, to become the soul we clothe in earthly form and action. And He is within us all." (27)

Our response is inner adoration, joy, gratitude, surrender, worship, and constant listening. This is sustatined through continued spiritual practices of good thinking and inner discipline. Kelly talks of two levels of ordering our mental life. At the first level, it is one of activism where we work hard. At the second level, we become more aware of divine presence through prayer, through worship, through a gentle receptiveness to God. What is most interesting is that these two levels cultivate each other. Such devotions at both levels are both painful as well as rewarding. Painful because of the gaps in moving from one level to the other which creates a kind of a start-stop movement which can be frustrating. Rewarding because of the sweetness of having a greater ease of thinking about God. One thing Kelly highlights is that the more we grow in God, the simpler our devotions. This process can be experienced through the increasing comfort of letting God work in us. Another way of putting this reward is as follows. If we begin our devotional life as if "God expects a lot from us." The hope is that once we arrive in God, we will realize that "God gives everything."

Chapter 2 - Holy Obedience

Beginning with a description on how greatly God pursues us His beloved, Kelly points to the nature of true obedience. Complete obedience is wholly and holy. It is without reservation all for God. Using Meister Eckhart's description of many first-half people, and few who bothers to complete the other half, while the journey is fraught with difficulties and temptations, we have the joy and hope of being encouraged that many saints of old have made the journey and have succeeded. Holy obedience is possible and attainable. There are several gateways to holy obedience. Firstly, it is the meeting of God and men, where we realized that all power comes from God alone. It is a state where the "soul is swept" into God's loving Centre. Our response to God comes through an earnest desire to want God. Some of the mystics of old calls this the "passive way." There is the "active way." This leads us to the second gateway, to "begin where we are." Obey whatever we can. Obey where we are. The third gateway is NOT to be discouraged when we slip back to our old ways. Do not let self-accusation stop us in devotions. The fourth gateway is to learn to submit to God for the results. This holy obedience thus depends on God from beginning to end. Humility and holiness are the twin fruits of such holy obedience. The third and fourth fruits are suffering and simplicity respectively.

Chapter 3 - The Blessed Community

Kelly progresses from individual devotionals to a desire for community with the people of God. True devotions that begin inside never grows inwards but outwards. One grows in friendship. One aligns with one another. Love grows. Together, the people of God discover God's love. Differences are marginalized, with commoness in God becoming the central identity.

"And this Fellowship is deeper than democracy, conceived as an ideal of group living. It is a theocracy wherein God rules and guides and directs His listening children. The centre of authority is not in man, not in the group, but in the creative God Himself. Nor do all members share equally in spiritual discernment, but upon some falls more clearly the revealing light of His guiding will." (78)

Chapter 4 - The Eternal Now and Social Concern

Kelly continues his spiritual trajectory from individual to community, and from community to the society at large. Key to this understanding of "eternal now" is the delicate balance of heavenly desiring and earthly living. We either take heaven too seriously that we forget about the present earth, or we take earth too seriously at the expense of hope of heaven. Kelly urges us to hold both the time now and the timelessness future. What truly makes the spiritual experience special is not our man-made diligence to join the earthly work with heavenly hope, but the sudden experience that it is God who is behind everything. Such an experience of God that joins the time and the timeless is evident through three kinds of fruits. First, it is joy unspeakable. Second, it is love. Third, it is peace. This peace erases earthly anxieties. It takes away a performance mindset in many believers. This brings us then to the motivation for social concerns.

"We have tried to discover the grounds of the social responsibility and the social sensitivity of Friends. It is not in mere humanitarianism. It is not in mere pity. It is not in mere obedience to Bible commands. It is not in anything earthly. The social concern of Friends is grounded in an experience - an experience of the Love of God and of the impulse to saviorhood inherent in the fresh quickening of that Life. Social concern is the dynamic Life of God at work in the world, made special and emphatic and unique, particularized in each individual or group who is sensitive and tender in the leading-strings of love. A concern is God-initiated, often surprising, always holy, for the Life of God is breaking through into the world. Its execution is in peace and power and astounding faith and joy, for in unhurried serenity the Eternal is at work in the midst of time, triumphantly bringing all things up unto Himself." (102)

Chapter 5 - The Simplification of Life

This chapter comes back full circle to the inner life of the believer. Far too often, we tend to think that the problem of life or the solution to it lies out there. The fact is, there is much work to be done in us. We have been guilty of making the world too complex for our own good. As a result, we are "unhappy, uneasy, strained, oppressed, and fearful we shall be shallow."

Simplicity means living from the Center. It means living with a sole focus on God. In contrast, our complex lives lie in being too worldly. Too many idols. Instead of listening to only one voice, our ears are drowned out by the many noises. Simplicity means singleness of mind, singleness of sight, and silently watching for God. Here are some of the questions that Kelly use to challenge us toward simplicity in God.

"Do you really want to live out your lives, every moment of your lives, in His Presence? Do you long for Him, crave Him? Do you love His Presence? Does every drop of blood in your body love Him? Does every breath you draw breathe a prayer, a praise to Him? Do you sing and dance within yourselves, as you glory in His love? Have you set yourselves to be His, and only His, walking every moment in holy obedience?" (109)

My Thoughts

This book is dense with its focus on God and soaked with spiritual wisdom. Written from a person who has experienced the Center in God, it invites readers to enter into this journey toward God. It is a testimony of God's grace to men that all of our devotions begin with God. It is a trial of challenges that one needs to overcome in order to disentangle oneself from the tyranny of worldliness, and the deceptions of self-strengths. It is a testament of devotion that leads one from inside to God, from individual to community, from community to social concerns, and from social concerns, back to a needed reminder that our lives need simplification. This book is a guide for deeper devotions. The best way to use this book is with a spiritual guide, or a more mature believer.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

Science is Reductionistic

In our world of electronic gadgets, an Internet era of smartphones and social media, we elevate science and technology through the latest and the greatest paradigm. What's new today will be old tomorrow. Tomorrow will be outlived by the day after tomorrow. Technology when we look forward is poised to turn our present existence and possessions into an artifact, relegated to a small memory in history.

As I was reading the late Chuck Colson's daily devotional (Week 17, Tuesday, p101) in A Dangerous Grace, I was struck by how reductionistic science can be. Colson was reflecting on an article in the Boston Globe that was trying to explain tragedy from the standpoint of science.

• Presumption: The bloodbath in Bosnia is because of something in our genes
• In biopolitics, politics can be explained by the scientific branch of biology
• Since biology can explain politics, it must be able to explain evolution.
• Biopolitics justify the need to exist, by ethnic conflict and aggression (natural selection)
• Aggression is actually an "evolutionary advantage."

Colson was apparently appalled at the way the journalist tries to explain violence and aggression through evolution in a manner that is distant, impassioned, and impersonal. No moral dimension was discussed. People become victims due to their genes. What is right or wrong is simply blamed on natural phenomenon. By linking warfare, violence, and ethnic cleansing to something as normal as our natural food chain and evolution, the whole idea tries to reduce man into a helpless pawn in the universe of human selection.

One of the basic tenets of science is the law of thermodynamics. In the second law, it states:

"Heat does not flow spontaneously from a colder region to a hotter region, or, equivalently, heat at a given temperature cannot be converted entirely into work." (Reference: Britannica.com)

In other words, there is a reduction of heat from a hot to a cold region. There is no such thing as an increase of 'cold' for cold is simply a loss of heat. Trying to use science and evolution to explain human behaviour or morality is simply not using science correctly. Science after all depends on assumptions. It does an excellent job in explaining how things work, but is like a fish out of water when it attempts to explain morality, philosophy, and even the arts. My point is, science and morality are completely different domains of understanding. While morality can be used to explain the use of science, science cannot be used to explain the human morality. Is there an evil gene? Is there a happy gene? When such things happen, the homosapiens species will have been reduced to a gene or a scientific piece of data. Not only is it reductionistic, science when used this way will eventually reduce the human being into a zero, just like the person who dies, and the body decays and ultimately perishes into the ground. It is appealing but the whole idea is downright deceiving.

Atom

Is there a "freedom" gene? Is there a "criminal" gene? By identifying and subsequently blaming one's behaviour on genetics, one faces even greater questions of life. What then controls these genes? What is the intelligence behind the genes? If the reductionistic feature of science is extrapolated to the intelligence arena, man will be somewhat less and less intelligent over time!

The logic is mindboggling. Colson then brings up his alternative. Call the violence and aggression as sin. Call the overall purpose of living as not reducing the whole explanation into a theoretical premise, but to see it as an opportunity for redemption of mankind. Science reduces matter to the lowest entity, like the half-life constant decline of chemicals. Science reduces a machine into its parts. Science when used on human behaviour is ultimately reductionistic.

Christ came to earth to redeem the world. He comes to give us life and life abundantly (John 10:10). Science is reductionistic. Christianity is redemptive. If one uses science to interpret human behaviour, the goal is eventually an atom, a molecule, a gene or a DNA. If one looks from the eyes of faith, and from Creation of God, the human person is not only redeemed, the human person is free to achieve his/her highest potential, as God has made us to be.

conrade

The LORD Our Pacesetter

There has been many versions of the famous Psalm 23, also known as the Shepherd's Psalm. Often read at funeral services, or during difficult times, it brings comfort to the soul. Here is one version that enables us to ponder and to reflect about learning to pace ourselves in a fast-paced society. Maybe, it is not the world that is fast-paced. It is our lack of self-discipline that ALLOWS our hearts to be distracted by the world. May this version remind us about the Lord as our Shepherd.

THE LORD IS MY PACE SETTER (Author: unknown)

(Credit: www.thematrix.com)

The Lord is my pacesetter; I shall not rush.
He makes me stop for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness Which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And his guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things To accomplish each day,
I will not fret, For his presence is here.

His timelessness and his all-importance Will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity
By anointing my mind with his oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Truly harmony and effectiveness
Shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,
And dwell in His house forever.


Peace,

conrade

Holy Week

This is Tuesday leading to the great event in history. An event that has been enshrined in the Apostles' Creed (see bold words below).

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN. [The Apostles' Creed]

(Credit: Friendship Presbyterian Church, Georgia, PCUSA)

It is an event that is remembered by Churches all over the world. Holy Week is the final week of Lent, and is marked by the following days:

Day 1 - Palm Sunday
Day 2 - Remembering how Jesus cleansed the temple (Matt 21:10-19)
Day 3 - Reflecting on how the Sadducees question the resurrection (Matt 22:23-33) and how Judas begins to scheme about betraying Jesus (Mark 14:10-11).
Day 4 - Watching and Praying
Day 5 - Maundy Thursday (Recalling events on the night Jesus was betrayed; (Matt 26:21-25))
Day 6 - Good Friday - (Remembering how Jesus was arrested, betrayed, forsaken, deserted, unjustly punished and humiliated)
Day 7 - Holy Saturday - The gloom of the death of Jesus and the doom of dashed hopes
Day 8 - Resurrection Sunday / Easter - The hope and the glory.

My Reflection on the Withered Fig Tree for Day 3

Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”(Matthew 21:18-22)

I find the scene a big contrast in human emotions. Jesus took a look at the fig tree that failed to bear any fruits, and cursed it. As a result, the fig tree withered immediately. The disciples were amazed and show great concern for the fig tree. It is a contrast of how Jesus sees the world, and how the disciples see the world.  I have three thoughts with regard to the short passage above. Firstly, it is an image of judgment. The fig tree has not been bearing fruit in the first place. Perhaps, it is taking its own sweet time. Perhaps, it is waiting for the right time. Unfortunately, when the time comes for judgment, results are expected. Jesus the Judge is visibly upset about the fig not doing what it is supposed to do. When the Son of God needs the fruit when He is hungry, imagine the disappointment when the fig tree failed to produce?  Why not then put it out of misery quickly? Why waste the water, the sunlight, and the nutrients on a tree that will not bear fruit?

Secondly, it is a reminder to ourselves: Are we always preparing ourselves to be ready? Military forces all over the world constantly hold war games and drills to keep the soldiers in tip top conditions. Nobody really knows when the next war will be. The next best thing is to be ready. On Palm Sunday, the donkey was ready. The disciples were ready. Even the people at Jerusalem were ready with their clothes and palm leaves. The fig tree was not ready.

Thirdly, it is a passage about faith. Jesus says that with faith, one can do what Jesus has done. With faith in Jesus and a restored relationship with God, not only will we escape the judgment on our sin, we sit with Christ on the side of righteous judgment. Interestingly, Jesus submits himself to let God's will be done. While some people will tend to see great faith in terms of getting what they want, Jesus sees greater faith in terms of doing God's will. This is the essence of faith: Trusting God to do what is best, not according to what we want.

Be watchful and prayerful through the Holy Week.

conrade

Only One Thing is Needful

I shared this prayer with some people last week. Based on the feedback I have received, it has touched a raw nerve. It makes me suspect that there are more people out there who feel the same way. Taken from my review copy of Jesus Calling Devotional Bible (see my review here), the prayer is from a person named Wanda.

"All of life seems foggy lately. I think I can pinpoint the source of this fog: I feel disconnected from You, Jesus. There's no telling just how many days have gone by without a thought of You. I can't remember the last time I read my Bible or told someone about You either. But I'm here now, on my knees, needing You to lift the fog. I wish I could blame my current state on those around me. But I chose to shut You out. I chose to give up the habit of praying daily. I chose to hang out with people who don't know You, people who don't encourage my relationship with You. How do I find my way back? How can I erase the distance between us? Somewhere in my past I remember that You promised to never stop pursuing a relationship with me. Well, I'm taking You up on it. Please, Jesus, restore me to You and make us close again." (From: Jesus Calling Devotional Bible, Thomas-Nelson, 2011, p1582)

God Is the Prime Mover

What I like about this prayer is the deep confession of one's foggy faith, and an earnest hope to be renewed and restored. Most importantly, it is a recognition that it is God who is the Prime Mover. Whenever Christians feel down, one way is to attempt to dig out past treasures from our diaries of spiritual success stories. For some of us it may be our needed booster to bring us back. For others, it may be another attempt to kick-start our faith without guarantee that it will be sustained over the long haul. For anyone who wants to draw on our past histories or our present reserves, my advice is: "Don't." Whenever there is any 'Martha-like' activism that threatens to usurp the place of a 'Mary-like' needful spirituality, remember the Lord's words:

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-39)

Only One Thing Is Needed

Perhaps, the confession of one's foggy faith is due to worry and being upset about many things. If one cares to ponder about it, often it is not the object of worry that is the problem. It is the worrying disposition that is the source of anxiety. This prayer puts a stake on the ground of faith, amid winds of  distraction, disappointment, and discouragement. It sets our hearts to acknowledge that by ourselves we are weak and helpless. With God's help, we can be strengthened, be helped that we too may help others. Alone, there is only so much faith we can garner.  With God, faith comes free-flowing, and it is the shape and volume of our ability to receive that is the limit. Depending on ourselves, we see more problems and doubts. Depending on God, we see more than solutions. We see an opportunity to exercise our faith. If anyone believes that becoming a Christian means more money or better health, or greater wealth, he/she is badly mistaken. That is a worldly and deadly quickfix tablet disguised as 'gospel.'

No. Only one thing is needful whenever we feel our life is foggy. Keep our eyes on Jesus. Let us focus on seeking out God to meet our legitimate needs. Let God focus our one thing. Let God help us address the source of our discouragement. Let God be our answer.

It Begins With Prayer

For Christians, we know that life is not a bed or roses. Believing in Jesus does not mean it any easier. Contrary to what some preachers assert, life can be harder. Ask the prophets like Jeremiah or Hosea. Ask the martyrs like Jim Elliot or John Wycliff. Ask anyone in the Third Word who have suffered for their faith.  Let me end with a prayer by the great Methodist missionary, E. Stanley Jones. It is a prayer that combines the best of one's earnest desire and one's honest acknowledgement of a need for God to help.

"O Christ, do not give me tasks equal to my powers,
but give me powers equal to my tasks,
for I want to be stretched by things too great for me.
I want to grow through the greatness of my tasks,
but I shall need your help for the growing." (E. Stanley Jones)

My readers, whatever the stage of your spiritual life or condition, the moment you stop, look up to God, and to ask Him for help, you are pointing in the direction of the kingdom of God. You will be empowered by the Spirit of God. You will be accompanied by Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Seeing our clouds of doubt lifted by the breeze of faith, we are ready to go and grow.

conrade

Articles Roundup

Since early this month, I have been contributing to OurDailyJourney's collection of articles for the Christian public. ODJ is a ministry arm of the Radio Bible Class, famous for their Our Daily Bread series. Here is a list of my articles published there. Enjoy!

1) Free to Live and to Love (22 July 2011)

2) Spiritual Reading (18 July 2011)

3) Live Forward (13 July 2011)

4) On the Move (6 July 2011)


conrade

Forgiveness - Doing what is right

This devotional is powerful. It deals with something that all of humanity needs most: Forgiveness. It is taken from the Navigators College ministry website here. All credit goes there.

DOING WHAT IS RIGHT 

"For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men." - 2 Corinthians 8:21

On September 13, 1995, Mary Lambright was killed by a semi-tractor trailer driven by Curtis Peterson. She was an Amish woman and the horse-drawn buggy she was driving was struck by Peterson's truck. She left behind her husband Mahlon and eleven children. Following his wife's death, Lambright was offered by Peterson's insurance company a wrongful death settlement totaling $212,418. This was money for Lambright, his wife's funeral expenses and the children. Mahlon Lambright went before Wisconsin's Dunn County Circuit Court and asked the judge to drop the petition of wrongful death settlement against Peterson.


"I admire him," said David Richie, who was appointed Guardian Ad Litem for nine of the family's 11 children. He said Mahlon doesn't want the settlement "for the simple fact that he felt the money would cause more problems than it would solve."


Lambright feared his children would not appreciate Amish traditions when they grew up if he took the money, and he pointed out to the court that members of the Amish community helped them by providing food and clothing and having an auction.


Emanuel Miller, a spokesman for the Amish community said, "It shows that he's not seeking revenge, or he would have accepted the money. Our Bible says revenge is not for us."


Doing what is right brings joy to both God and man. Do you find it painful to do "the right thing"? Today in prayer, thank Christ that He receives the glory when we do what is right in His name.


"I prefer to do right and get no thanks rather than to do wrong and get no punishment." - Marcus Cato

God's Word: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." - Romans 14:17-18

---

My Comments

For many of us, we will be more shocked about the story of how the hurt can forgive so generously. It is unthinkable. For some of us, we will be appalled and the seemingly lack of justice. I can understand anyone who is angry at the driver. The moment one starts to do mental gymnastics with possibilities and punishments, the road of bitterness that comes with a refusal to forgive turns into a highway to perdition and self-destruction.

For any of us who thinks it is impossible, have we forgotten Jesus' words in Luke 18:2?

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

c

WQRP - A Quiet Time Tip

MAIN POINT: Ever had problems about Quiet Time? Troubled because you are not sure how to do it? Perhaps, this article is for you. Enjoy using the WQRP method as you spend a quiet moment with the Lord. Enjoy a cuppa with God.

What is that one thing that distinguishes earnest Christians from nominal ones? I believe the single most defining feature is their faithfulness in doing their "Quiet Time." I first learned of this term when I joined a Christian Fellowship during my undergraduate years. People would carve out a few minutes to an hour to spend time reading the Bible, praying, writing and conversing with God during quiet moments of the day. It is a discipline of a believer. It is the mark of a Christian disciple. It is the tending of the heart toward spiritual growth.

I have been doing various kinds of quiet time during these years. I admit it has not been very consistent in terms of my formula. In fact I do more QT moments during busy years working in a full-time job as an engineer. These days, I have more time to reflect due to the nature of my job. After all, I am a pastor. More than that, I simply love the Word of God, that my Quiet Time become a 'Quiet Day' as I pray at each opportunity throughout the day. I recall verses I memorize, and when I write I use the Bible and apply its truths in my articles. This is indeed a privilege to be able to be in a position like the man in Ps 1:

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Ps 1:2)

My Personal Tip - WQRP
Maybe, let me share with you a particular formula that perhaps can assist you in your Quiet Time with the Lord. Some of us may have devotional materials. Feel free to use them. For me, I recommend a Bible and a song/hymn book. After allocating a regular time per day, and a suitable place, remember the acronym WQRP.

1) WORSHIP & WORD
Start with singing a hymn or a chorus. It does not need to be long. Pick a passage from the Bible. Read it at least twice. The first time is to familiarize yourself with the passage. The second time is done with an eye to understand the meaning of the text. Then read it a third time, this time more meditatively. For example, let's read Ps 1:2. I will read through the entire Psalm quickly the first time. This way, not only do I familiarize myself with the passage, I get to know the context. Then in my second reading, I will slow down as I approach verse 2. I note the word that begins verse 2: "BUT." Then I feed on the entire verse, slowly, surely and meditatively.

2) QUESTIONS
In this second part, I must not be too quick to assume I understand what God is saying straightaway. That will be like pressing the answer bell prematurely before the teacher asks the question. Let the Holy Spirit guide. Context is important. Often, understanding the context will resolve a lot of our questions. Patient and accurate reading will illuminate more.

Continuing the example in Psalm 1:2, I ask:

• What do you mean by 'delight?'
• What is meditation?
• What does the Psalmist mean by 'day and night?'
• How is this verse linked to the former verse in the beginning?

3) REFLECTION
Here is where things become interesting. In fact this is increasingly my challenging part. Here what I do is to link what I am reading with a challenging thought on how the passage can be applied to me in modern times. Do not worry if you do not have the answers. Keep the questions alive throughout the day. Asks questions that are meaningful at your point of your spiritual life.

• If this spiritual man is the holy yardstick, how close am I to achieving it?
• Is this kind of a spiritual life possible for us in busy societies?
• How on earth is it possible to meditate 'day and night?' We have to work too right?

4) PRAYER
Simply because I place prayer at the end, does not mean it should be the last thing to do. In fact, prayer and meditation on the Word goes hand in hand. I pray throughout my devotional time. When I read the Word, I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me. When I asks QUESTIONS, I let the Holy Spirit guide my focus toward grappling with the Truth in the Bible. When I probe my heart with a challenge, I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me gently to find the most appropriate teaching moment. For example, you can conclude by praying:

"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for this intimate moment with You. Thank You for showing me a man whose delight is in pursuing after You. I pray that You give me this delight constantly, that I can be a blessing to people around me. Show me how to be Christlike in my day ahead.

I'll see you tomorrow, same time and same place. But if I bump into You during the day, I'll be most happy. I ask in Jesus's Name. Amen"

 For a start, do the WQRP if you do not have any particular Quiet Time method. Adapt it to your situation and once you have the momentum going, derive your own QT styles and methods and share with others.

May this spark off a WQRP moment for you. Remember, it does not have to be long. Just make it delightful, no matter how short it is.

conrade

Depending on God - An APCAT Tip

How do Christians depend on God in whatever they do? The popular speaker, John Piper suggests a short acronym to help us remember how to depend on God. I shall use this acronym to describe how we can cultivate a dependence on God each day. The acronym is Piper's but the applications and descriptions are mine.

1) Acknowledge that we are powerless to change ourselves
The Calvinist will be pleased to declare this. Under the "Total Depravity" point of Calvinism, they acknowledge that human beings are powerless to turn to God. On the other hand, while it is true that people are powerless spiritually, God still gives men the free will to choose who to turn to. While the Arminian and the Calvinist will disagree on the specifics of the depravity of men, it is fair to say that man's spiritual efforts, no matter how noble are imperfect. They are not able to depend on their own strengths. One reason for our powerlessness is simple. We do not know the future.

"God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event." (Matthew Henry, Presbyterian Minister, 1662-1714)

2) Plead or Petition with God to change our hearts
Changing the heart is one of the most challenging things in life. People have said that the longest journey in life is between the head to the heart. Only God can change our hearts. Emotions are something beyond our control. I cannot declare in our heart to be happy, and then we can be happy. Likewise, we cannot say we want to be sad, and expect our heart to be immediately moody.

For those of us with hardened hearts, we need God to soften us. Those of us with timid hearts need God to give us courage. Those with unclear hearts need clarity from God. Those with arrogance need to be humbled. Plead and ask God to give us a heart of gold, ever desiring to pursue after God's holiness.

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." (Corrie Ten Boom, Holocaust survivor, 1892-1983)

3) Claim from God His Promises, Implications
After acknowledging and asking God for help, it is time to claim God's promises. We cannot sit around passively all the time and expect something to be done. God has placed lots of promises. I remember learning that if we spend time seeking to obey and to practice ALL the known truths in the Bible, we will hardly have enough time to question and to get trapped in controversies and mysterious matters NOT revealed in the Bible.

"Prayer, like faith, obtains promises, enlarges their operation, and adds to the measure of their results." (EM Bounds, 1835-1913)

4) Act On It
It is one thing to listen to the Word of God. It is yet another to put them into practice. Sometimes, we tend to become too passive in our declaration of depending on God. While theologically, we are correct to say that we are dependent on God, we cannot shift all the responsibility to God for what we are responsible for. For example, we are dependent on God to provide us food. Suppose the apple is on the tree. Are we to simply sit on our comfortable chairs, and then expect the apple to fly into our mouths? No. Someone needs to pick the apple, prepare it and then partake it.

Likewise, God has given us a promise to provide for us. We need to do the practicing. We need to take what God has given us, our gifts, our talents, our possessions and make something beautiful out of them.

"In God, we live every commonplace as well as the most exalted moment of our being. To trust in Him when no need is pressing, when things seem going right of themselves, may be harder than when things seem going wrong."

George MacDonald (Scottish poet and minister, 1824-1905)

5) Thanksgiving
It is fitting that this acronym ends with a thanksgiving. After all, if all things come from God, we need to direct our gratitude to the Giver of gifts. In fact, giving thanks is one of the most beautiful qualities of a Christian. This is not restricted to mealtime grace periods, or the Sunday prayer rituals. All of life is to be shrouded in thankfulness. This is the 5th mark of a life dependent on God.

"Those who are readiest to trust God without other evidence than His Word always receive the greatest number of visible evidences of His love."

(Charles C. G. Trumbull, 1825-1900)

This short acronym, APCAT, can be very helpful to remind ourselves that we cannot do God's work on our own strengths. We need to plead for God to change our hearts. We need to claim the promises of God. We act on what God has revealed and finally be thankful. Christians need to remind themselves of their utter dependence on God, and not their own powers. The quicker we realize this truth, the less frustration we will feel when the things in life do not meet our expectations. For when we depend on God like APCAT, we trust our unknown future to a known God.

Have a APCAT day, each day and every day.

"Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence."
(St Augustine, Philosopher & Theologian, 354-430)

conrade

Letting Go

Letting Go
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 29 Mar 2010

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Last Sunday was a special one. Three members of the congregation came out to share about their testimony in Christ. One shared about how God guides through her friendships and relationships with peers. Another shared about how God guides through career decisions. Another shared about learning to trust God during difficult family trials. In all of these instances, the pastor pointed out a common theme: “Letting Go.”

Letting go is certainly an important element of trust. Without trust, there can be no faith. Without trust in God, whatever alternatives there are will lead us to a dead-end. In a sense, believers do not really have a choice. It is either choosing to trust God, or to curse God and blame God for all things. In an emotional condition, sometimes, those who are down and out will even deny their faith and walk away.

I thought about what disappointments mean in life. It is challenging. In fact, it is so challenging that at times, I find myself doubting God. I question the existence of God. If He exists, I question if He really loves me. If He really loves me, I ask why does He seem so far away?

This reminds me of the story of a pair of trapeze performers. One is a senior catcher, while the other is a junior jumper. The senior catcher waits for the junior to jump. The objective is to let the jumper swing from one end to the other end of the platform. For young trapeze performers, they rely on a safety net below to catch them in case they fall.

The catcher casually swings on his knees while waiting for the jumper. For a few times, the young jumper freezes up and tightens her arms to aggressively grasp the hands of the catcher. Each time she does that, she falls. Finally, the senior trapeze performer said to the rookie to relax and just ‘let go.’ She needs to trust that she will be safe even when she lets go. Realizing that her own fears are preventing her from improving, the young trapeze performer agrees to the suggestion. In her final try, she let herself go. She keeps her mind free. She is able to relax. As she loosens up, she extends her arms to be easily caught by her more experienced colleague. The performance was first class.

Isn’t this a wonderful metaphor for trust? Isn’t this the truth Jesus is trying to tell us, that in this world there will be many troubles? If we try to overcome the world on our puny little abilities, we will be frustrated. We will easily fall down. If we try to take control of all things, even the things that are not within our jurisdiction, we will be disappointed. We start to blame God unfairly. We start to hurt ourselves unwittingly. We start to hurt God unknowingly.

How about simply trusting God? How about letting go of our self-pride and unhealthy control? We need to first, take heart (do the jump), carry on our normal activities (swing on), and when the difficult times of life comes, where we cannot control the outcome, just let go and let God.

Remember, Jesus has overcome the world. If Jesus is for us, who can be against us?

Thought: If you find it hard to let go, why not attempt a period of unceasing prayer?

conrade